/ ˈsɪkli; NAmE / adjective
1.
often ill / sick :
He was a sickly child.
2.
not looking healthy and strong
SYN frail :
She looked pale and sickly.
sickly plants
3.
that makes you feel sick, especially because it is too sweet or full of false emotion :
a sickly sweet smell
She gave me a sickly smile.
4.
( of colours ) unpleasant to look at :
a sickly green colour
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : probably suggested by Old Norse sjúkligr .